Cable connection assembly

ABSTRACT

A cable connection assembly for coupling a cable to an apparatus. The cable connection assembly may include a main body defining an inner cavity adapted to receive a pressurized fluid and receive at least a portion of the cable. The cable connection assembly may also include an attachment mechanism adapted to couple the main body to the cable and a seal assembly adapted to sealingly couple the main body to the apparatus. The cable connection assembly may also include an inlet port passing through the main body for permitting the pressurized fluid to be injected into the inner cavity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The illustrated embodiments of the present invention generally relate tocable connection assemblies, and more specifically, to cable connectionassemblies for connecting a cable to an apparatus while permitting afluid to be injected into the cable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical cables include a conductor, such as a number of copper oraluminum strands, surrounded by an insulation layer. In some instances,the life span of a cable is shortened when water enters the cable andforms micro-voids in the insulation layer. These micro-voids spreadthroughout the insulation layer in a tree like shape, collections ofwhich are sometimes referred to as water trees.

Water trees are known to form in the insulation layer of electricalcables when voltage is applied to the cable in the presence of water andions. As water trees grow, they compromise the dielectric properties ofthe insulation layer until failure occurs. Many large water treesinitiate at the site of an imperfection or a contaminant, butcontamination is not a necessary condition for water trees to propagate.

Water tree growth can be eliminated or retarded by removing orminimizing the water or ions, or by reducing the voltage stress. Anotherapproach requires the injection of a dielectric enhancement fluid intointerstices located between the strands of the cables. However,injecting the dielectric enhancement fluid into the cable is difficult,especially if the cable is to remain in service during treatment.Accordingly, there exists a need for a device which permits a cable tobe injected with restorative fluids, such as dielectric enhancementfluids, while permitting the cable to remain in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a cable connection assembly formed in accordance withthe present invention for coupling a cable to an apparatus is disclosed.The cable connection assembly includes a main body defining an innercavity adapted to receive a pressurized fluid and receive at least aportion of the cable therein. The cable connection assembly alsoincludes an attachment mechanism adapted to couple the main body to thecable and a seal assembly adapted to sealingly couple the main body tothe apparatus. The cable connection assembly also includes an inlet portpassing through the main body for permitting the pressurized fluid to beinjected into the inner cavity.

An alternate embodiment of a cable connection assembly formed inaccordance with the present invention for coupling a cable to anapparatus is disclosed. The cable connection assembly includes a mainbody defining an inner cavity adapted to receive a pressurized fluid andreceive at least a portion of the cable therein and a threaded portiondisposed on a first end of the main body for coupling the main body tothe cable. The cable connection assembly also includes a seal disposedon the second end of the main body for sealing the main body to theapparatus and an inlet port. The inlet port passes through the main bodyfor permitting the pressurized fluid to be injected into the innercavity of the main body. The cable connection assembly further includesa fastening mechanism disposed on a second end of the main body forcoupling the main body to the apparatus.

Still another alternate embodiment of a cable connection assembly formedin accordance with the present invention for coupling a cable to anapparatus is disclosed. The cable connection assembly includes a mainbody defining an inner cavity adapted to receive a pressurized fluid andreceive at least a portion of the cable. The cable connection assemblyalso includes a coupling assembly for coupling a first end of the mainbody to the cable and a seal assembly for sealing a second end of themain body to the apparatus. The cable connection assembly furtherincludes an inlet port passing through the main body for permitting thepressurized fluid to be injected into the inner cavity of the main bodyand a sealing member. The sealing member is coupled to the main body.The sealing member is moveable between a closed position in which thesealing member impedes fluid from flowing through the inlet port and anopen position in which the sealing member permits fluid to flow throughthe inlet port for receipt by the cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of one embodiment of acable connection assembly formed in accordance with the presentinvention, the cable connection assembly shown with a valve assembly ofthe cable connection assembly in an open position permitting fluid toenter the cable connection assembly through the valve assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of the cable connectionassembly of FIG. 1, the cable connection assembly illustrated with thevalve assembly in a closed position blocking fluid from exiting and/orentering the cable connection assembly through the valve assembly;

FIG. 3, is a perspective, exploded view of the cable connection assemblyof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of an alternateembodiment of a cable connection assembly formed in accordance with thepresent invention, the cable connection assembly shown with a valveassembly of the cable connection assembly in an open position permittingfluid to enter the cable connection assembly through the valve assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of the cable connectionassembly of FIG. 4, the cable connection assembly illustrated with thevalve assembly in a closed position blocking fluid from exiting thecable connection assembly through the valve assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of still yet anotherembodiment of a cable connection assembly formed in accordance with thepresent invention, the cable connection assembly shown with a valveassembly of the cable connection assembly in an open position permittingfluid to enter the cable connection assembly through the valve assembly;and

FIG. 7 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of the cable connectionassembly of FIG. 6, the cable connection assembly illustrated with thevalve assembly in a closed position blocking fluid from exiting thecable connection assembly through the valve assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of a cable connection assembly100 formed in accordance with the present invention is shown. Generallydescribed, the cable connection assembly 100 is adapted to couple acable 102 to an apparatus 104 while permitting a fluid, one suitableexample being a restorative fluid, such as a dielectric enhancementfluid, to be injected into the cable 102. The cable 102 may be any wellknown or to be developed cable, such as the cable 102 illustrated,having a plurality of conductors 103 surrounded by an insulation layer120. The apparatus 104 may be any well known or to be developedcomponent requiring connection to the cable 102, a few suitable examplesbeing a termination connector, such as shown, for connecting the cable102 to a device requiring to be in electrical communication with thecable 102, such as a junction box, transformer, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the cable connection assembly 100 includes amain body 106, an attachment mechanism 108, a fastening mechanism 109, acable seal mechanism 110, a valve assembly 112, and an apparatus sealassembly 114. The main body 106 is suitably a cylindrically shapedstructure, such as a collar, defining an inner cavity 116. The innercavity 116 may be sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of thecable 102 and at least a portion of the apparatus 104. Further, theinner cavity 116 is adapted to receive the fluid mentioned above fortreating the cable 102.

The attachment mechanism 108 removably attaches a first end of the mainbody 106 to the cable 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachmentmechanism 108 includes a threaded portion 118 to engage correspondingthreads 156 disposed on an insulation layer 120 of the cable 102.Although the attachment mechanism 108 is illustrated and described asutilizing threads to couple the cable connection assembly 100 to thecable 102, the attachment mechanism 108 may use various other means forcoupling the cable connection assembly 100 to the cable 102, a fewsuitable examples being mechanical fasteners, self tapping threads, pushon style barbed fittings, ferrule style connectors, quick-to-connectdevices, and crimping devices that are capable of holding cable 102 incontact with main body 106.

The fastening mechanism 109 removably attaches a second end of the mainbody 106 to the apparatus 104. The fastening mechanism 109 includes oneor more fasteners 122, such as set screws, which pass radially throughthe main body 106. The fasteners 122 engage the apparatus 104, therebymechanically and electrically coupling or locking the apparatus 104 tothe main body 106. It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill thatother types of fastening mechanisms 109, such as threads disposed on themain body 106, adhesives, quick-to-connect devices, crimping devices,self-locking retaining rings, welding, and chemical adhesives, are alsowithin the scope of the present invention.

The cable seal mechanism 110 is adapted to seal the main body 106 to thecable 102. The cable seal mechanism 110 includes a sealing surface 124(FIG. 1) disposed on the main body 106 and a seal 126. The sealingsurface 124 is an annularly shaped surface formed in the main body 106and is adapted to sandwich the seal 126 against an end face 199 of thecable 102, thereby creating an end seal between the sealing surface 124and the end face 199. Further, because of the threaded engagementbetween the cable 102 and the main body 106, the resulting attachment ismore secure than existing designs.

Specifically, the end seal between the sealing surface 124 and the endface 199 is maintained during dynamic changes, such as thermal changes,in the insulation layer 120. Because the main body 106 is threadablyconnected to the insulation layer 120, any changes or movement of theinsulation layer results in a corresponding movement of the main body106. This maintains a secure end seal between the sealing surface 124and the end face 199.

The apparatus seal assembly 114 is adapted to seal the main body 106 tothe apparatus 104. The apparatus seal assembly 114 includes an annularshaped sealing recess 132 or groove formed on the inner surface of themain body 106 and a seal 130. The sealing recess 132 is adapted to atleast partially receive the seal 130 and sandwich the seal against theapparatus 104 to seal the main body 106 to the apparatus 104. It shouldbe apparent that the main body 106 may be sealed to the apparatus 104 inany number of ways, including gaskets, a seal disposed against anendface of the apparatus 104, threading of the main body 106 upon theapparatus, liquid gasket compounds, etc.

The valve assembly 112 includes a sealing member 132, an injection port134, an inlet port 136, a valve seal assembly 138, and a lockingassembly 140. The sealing member 132 of the illustrated embodiment is inthe form of a sleeve which may be linearly moved in the direction of thelongitudinal length of the cable connection assembly 100 as indicated byarrow 158 in FIG. 2. The sealing member 132 is adapted to slidinglyreceive the main body 106 within an inner passageway defined by thesealing member 132. The sealing member 132 includes the injection port134. The injection port 134 is adapted to interface with a fluidinjection source to permit a fluid to pass through the sealing member132 and into the inner cavity 116 of the main body 106.

The valve assembly 112 may include one or more inlet ports 136. Theinlet ports 136 may pass through the main body 106 for permitting afluid to pass through the main body 106 and into the inner cavity 116.The inlet ports 136 may pass through the main body 106 in a radialdirection. In the illustrated embodiment, there are multiple inlet ports136 spaced equidistant about the circumference of the main body 106.Although multiple inlet ports 136 are illustrated and described, itshould be noted that a single inlet port 136 is also suitable for usewith the present invention.

Returning the focus to the sealing member 132, as noted above, thesealing member 132 is moveable relative to the main body 106. Thesealing member 132 may be linearly moved between at least a closedposition and an open position. In the open position shown in FIG. 1, theinjection port 134 associated with the sealing member 132 is selectivelypositioned such that the fluid may flow through the injection port 134,through the inlet ports 136, and into the inner cavity 116. In theclosed position shown in FIG. 2, the injection port 134 associated withthe sealing member 132 is aligned such that the injection port 134 is nolonger in fluid communication with the inlet ports 136. Thus, in theclosed position, fluid is impeded from flowing through the injectionport 134 and into the inner cavity 116 via the inlet ports 136.

The valve assembly 112 may further include a valve seal assembly 138. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the valve seal assembly 138 includes a pairof seals 142 and 144 disposed on each side of the inlet ports 136. Theseals 142 and 144 may be annular in shape and may circumferentiallyengage both the sealing member 132 and the main body 106, sealing thesealing member 132 to the main body 106. The seals 142 and 144 helpdefine a fluid passageway 146 defined by the space between the seals 142and 144, an inner surface of the sealing member 132, and an outersurface of the main body 106. As best shown in FIG. 2, the sealingmember 132 may have a channel disposed on the inner surface of thesealing member 132 to increase the cross-sectional area of the fluidpassageway 146. When a fluid is injected in the injection port 134, thefluid may pass circumferentially along the annular shaped fluidpassageway 146 and enter the inner cavity 116 through the inlet ports136.

The locking assembly 140 may be used to lock the sealing member 132 ofthe valve assembly 112 in either the open position or the closedposition. For instance, the locking assembly 140 may include a lockingchannel 148 disposed circumferentially about the outer surface of themain body 106. The locking channel 148 is sized and shape to receive alocking member 150, a few suitable examples being a snap ring or clip.The locking member 150 is sized and shaped to extend radially outward ofthe locking channel 148 so as to block movement of the sealing member132 from the closed position depicted in FIG. 2, to the open positionshown in FIG. 1. To transition the sealing member 132 from the closedposition to the open position, the locking member 150 is simply removedfrom the locking channel 148 as shown in FIG. 1, permitting the sealingmember 132 to slide past the locking channel 148.

The locking assembly 140 may include a locking flange 152. The lockingflange 152 may extend radially outward of the outer surface of the mainbody 106. The locking flange 152 may be sized and shaped to be a limitstop for a locking member 154, a few suitable examples being a wide snapring or wide clip. The locking member 154 is sized and shaped to abutthe locking flange 152 and the sealing member 132 when the sealingmember 132 is in the open position as shown in FIG. 1. When the lockingmember 154 is in place, the sealing member 132 is impeded from movingback towards the locking flange 152 to the closed position depicted inFIG. 2. To transition the sealing member 132 from the open position tothe closed position, the locking member 154 is simply removed as shownin FIG. 2, permitting the sealing member 132 to slide toward the lockingflange 152.

Although the locking flange 152 is illustrated and described as beingused in locking the sealing member 132 in the open position, and thelocking channel 148 used in locking the sealing member 132 in the closedposition, it should be noted that in other embodiments, a locking flangemay be used in locking the sealing member 132 in the closed position,and a locking channel may be used to lock the sealing member 132 in theopen position. Further, it should also be noted, although the lockingassembly 140 is shown and illustrated with specific structures forlocking the sealing member 132 in either the open position or the closedposition, other structures may be used to hold the sealing member 132 ineither the open or closed position, a few suitable examples being balland detent systems, twist-to-lock structures, bayonet style lockingmechanisms, fasteners, etc.

In light of the above description of the components of the cableconnection assembly 100, the operation of the cable connection assembly100 will now be described. Referring to FIG. 1, prior to installation,the insulation layer 120 of the cable 102 may be cut back exposing theconductors 103. The insulation layer 120 may then be threaded to formexternal threads 156 sized and shaped to interface with the threadedportion 118 of the main body 106. The main body 106 is then threadedonto the cable 106. The seal 126 is sandwiched between the sealingsurface 124 and the endface 199 providing a fluid seal therebetween, inaddition to the seal caused by the interfacing of threads 156 of theinsulation layer 120 with the threaded portion 118 of the main body 106.

The distal end of the apparatus 104 may then be slid within the innercavity 116 of the main body 106 with the conductors 103 of the cable 102extending within the apparatus 104. The apparatus 104 may then becrimped upon the conductors 103 to retain the apparatus 104 to the cable102. Seal 130 seals the main body 106 to the apparatus 104. Fasteners122 are then driven to engage the apparatus 104 to mechanically couplethe cable connection assembly 100 to the apparatus 104. Locking member154 is placed in position to retain the sealing member 132 in the openposition. A restorative fluid is injected through the injection port 134to pass through the fluid passageway 146 and enter the inner cavity 116through one or more of the inlet ports 136.

Referring to FIG. 2, the sealing member 132 may be placed in the closedposition by removing the locking member 154 and sliding the sealingmember 132 in the direction of arrow 158. Locking member 150 may then beinserted in locking channel 148 to retain the sealing member 132 in theclosed position. When the sealing member 132 is in the closed position,the injection port 134 is out of alignment with the fluid passageway146, and the inner cavity 116 is now a sealed pressure vessel able tohold a fluid under pressure within the cavity.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternate embodiment of a cableconnection assembly 200 formed in accordance with the present inventionis illustrated. The cable connection assembly 200 is substantiallysimilar in construction and operation to the cable connection assembly100 of FIGS. 1-3 described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity,this detailed description will focus upon the aspects of the cableconnection assembly 200 of FIGS. 4 and 5 which depart from thepreviously described embodiment, which is the construction and operationof the valve assembly.

The valve assembly 212 of this embodiment differs from the valveassembly of the previously described embodiment in that sealing member232 is rotatable between the open position shown in FIG. 4 and theclosed position shown in FIG. 5, rather than linearly moveable betweenthe open and closed positions as shown and described for the previousembodiment.

Moreover, the valve assembly 212 is rotated into the open position byrotating the sealing member 232 about the longitudinal axis of the cableconnection assembly 200 and about the outer surface of the main body206. The sealing member 232 is in the open position when the injectionport 234 of the sealing member 232 is aligned with one of the inletports 236 of the main body 206 as shown in FIG. 4. A seal 260 may beused to seal the inlet port 236 to the injection port 234.

The valve assembly 212 is rotated to the closed position by rotating thesealing member 232 about the longitudinal axis of the cable connectionassembly 200 and about the outer surface of the main body 206. Thesealing member 232 is in the closed position when the injection port 234of the sealing member 232 is not aligned with any one of the inlet ports236 of the main body 206 as shown in FIG. 5. The seal 260 seals againstthe sealing member 232, thereby forming the inner cavity 216 into apressure vessel able to hold a fluid under pressure. The sealing member232 is impeded from moving linearly along the length of the cableconnection assembly 200 via the locking flange 252 and the lockingmember 250 disposed on each side of the sealing member.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternate embodiment of a cableconnection assembly 300 formed in accordance with the present inventionis illustrated. The cable connection assembly 300 is substantiallysimilar in construction and operation to the cable connection assembly100 of FIGS. 1-3 described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity,this detailed description will focus upon the aspects of the cableconnection assembly 300 of FIGS. 6 and 7 which depart from thepreviously described embodiments, which is the construction andoperation of the valve assembly.

The valve assembly 312 of this embodiment differs from the valveassembly of the previously described embodiment in that sealing member332 is linearly moveable, preferably in a radial direction 362, betweenthe open position shown in FIG. 6 and the closed position shown in FIG.7, rather than linearly moveable in a longitudinal direction between theopen and closed positions are shown and described for the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3.

Moreover, the valve assembly 312 is moved into the open position bylinearly moving the sealing member 332 in the direction of a radialoriented axis 362 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thecable connection assembly 300. More specifically, the valve assembly 312of this embodiment may act as a check valve permitting flow into theinner cavity 316, unless held open. The valve assembly 312 may include avalve body 364, a biasing member 366, a valve seat 368, and a retainingassembly 370. The valve body 364 may house the sealing member 332,biasing member 366, and the retaining assembly 370.

The biasing member 366, which may be a valve spring, biases the sealingmember 332 into sealing engagement with the valve seat 368, therebysealing the injection port 334, preventing the entrance or exit of fluidinto the inner cavity 316. The retaining assembly 370 retains thebiasing member 366 in the valve body 364. The retaining assembly 370includes a base plate 372 and a retaining clip 374. The base plate 372is retained in the valve body 364 via the retaining clip 374 andsupports/retains the biasing member 366 in the valve body 364.

When a fluid is injected in the injection port 334 and the pressureacting upon the sealing member 332 exceeds a predetermined value, thebiasing force applied upon the sealing member 332 by the biasing member366 is overcome. Once overcome, the sealing member 332 moves away fromthe valve seat 368, permitting the fluid to enter the fluid injectionport 334, travel through the valve body 364, and out the inlet port 336in the base plate 372 to enter the inner cavity 316 as shown in FIG. 6.When the fluid is no longer injected into the injection port 334, thebiasing force applied by the biasing member 366 is no longer overcome,thereby resulting in the sealing member 332 moving linearly outward in aradial direction to sealingly engage the valve seat 368, thereby formingthe inner cavity 316 into a pressure vessel able to hold a fluid underpressure as shown in FIG. 7. The sealing member 332 is impeded frommoving from the closed position by the biasing member 366 until onceagain a fluid is injected through the injection port 334 and the biasingforce of the biasing member 366 overcome.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be appreciated that various changes can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A cable connection assembly for coupling a cable to an apparatus, thecable connection assembly comprising: (a) a main body defining an innercavity adapted to receive a pressurized fluid and receive at least aportion of the cable therein; (b) an attachment mechanism adapted tocouple the main body to the cable; and (c) a seal assembly adapted tosealingly couple the main body to the apparatus.
 2. The cable connectionassembly of claim 1, further comprising an inlet port passing throughthe main body for permitting the pressurized fluid to be injected intothe inner cavity.
 3. The cable connection assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising a fastening mechanism for coupling the main body to theapparatus.
 4. The cable connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealassembly includes a seal adapted to be sandwiched between the apparatusand the main body.
 5. The cable connection assembly of claim 1, whereinthe main body further includes a sealing surface, the sealing surfaceadapted to engage and sandwich a seal between the sealing surface andthe cable to seal the main body to the cable.
 6. The cable connectionassembly of claim 2, further comprising a valve assembly coupled to themain body, the valve assembly having a sealing member moveable between aclosed position in which the sealing member impedes fluid from flowingthrough the inlet port and an open position in which the sealing memberpermits fluid to flow through the inlet port for receipt by the cable.7. The cable connection assembly of claim 6, wherein the sealing memberis adapted to be rotated between the closed position and the openposition.
 8. The cable connection assembly of claim 6, wherein thesealing member is adapted to move linearly between the closed positionand the open position.
 9. The cable connection assembly of claim 6,further comprising a locking member removably coupled to the main body,the locking member adapted to block the movement of the sealing memberfrom either the closed position or the open position.
 10. The cableconnection assembly of claim 6, wherein the sealing member is a sleevehaving an injection port, wherein when the sealing member is in theclosed position, the injection port is not disposed in fluidcommunication with the inlet port, and wherein when the sealing memberis in the open position, the injection port is disposed in fluidcommunication with the inlet port.
 11. The cable connection assembly ofclaim 10, further comprising a first annular seal and a second annularseal, the first and second annular seals adapted to circumferentiallyengage an inner surface of the sleeve on each side of the injectionport.
 12. The cable connection assembly of claim 1, wherein theattachment mechanism includes a threaded portion adapted to sealinglycouple to a threaded portion of an insulation layer of the cable.
 13. Acable connection assembly for coupling a cable to an apparatus, thecable connection assembly comprising: (a) a main body defining an innercavity adapted to receive a pressurized fluid and receive at least aportion of the cable therein; (b) a threaded portion disposed on a firstend of the main body for coupling the main body to the cable; (c) a sealdisposed on the second end of the main body for sealing the main body tothe apparatus; (d) an inlet port passing through the main body forpermitting the pressurized fluid to be injected into the inner cavity ofthe main body; and (e) a fastening mechanism disposed on a second end ofthe main body for coupling the main body to the apparatus.
 14. The cableconnection assembly of claim 13, further comprising an annular shapedrecessed disposed on an inner surface of the main body, the annularshaped recess sized and shaped to receive the seal therein.
 15. Thecable connection assembly of claim 13, further comprising a valveassembly interfaced with the inlet port, the valve assembly configurablebetween a closed position impeding fluid flow through the inlet port andan open position permitting fluid flow through the inlet port.
 16. Thecable connection assembly of claim 13, wherein the threaded portion iscomprised of internal threads disposed upon an inner surface of the mainbody.
 17. The cable connection assembly of claim 13, wherein the mainbody further includes a sealing surface, the sealing surface adapted toengage a seal to sandwich the seal between the sealing surface and thecable to seal the main body to the cable.